Valve structure



W. ROBINSON Jan. 30, 1951 VALVE STRUCTURE SSheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 27, 1941 Evil- Jan. 30, 1951 w. ROBINSON VALVE STRUCTURE Original Filed March 27 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illll .IIIIIIIA' wzhaug RbLhksa W. ROBINSON Jan. 30, 1951 VALVE STRUCTURE ASW nN Original Filed March 27 1941 Patented Jan. 30, 1951 VALVE STRUCTURE tyiiliam Behinson, Chicago, IlL, assignor to Certified Gas ilkiuip'rnent Company, Qhicago, a

corporation of Illinois riginal application Marchm, 1341, Serial "No.

3.859.522, now Pat nt No.-2,361,655,..datedQc- Divided andy his appl cation March 29, 1944, Serial No. 528,539

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to valve structures. This application is a division of my application for Gas Valve Structures, Serial No. 385,522, filed March 27, 1941, now Patent 'No. 2,361,655, issued October 31, 1944.

-'lhe principal objects of the invention are to prpvidea valve structure which is highly emcient in controlling the flow of gas or other fuels and fluids; is particularly adaptable for use with both top burners and oven burners of gas ranges as well as on other gas appliances; and includes very eiiieient means to indicate the position of the valve element.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings, wherein:

Figure l is .an axial sectional view on the line Ii of. Figure 2 with the valve element in closed pos ion Figure 2 isa front view of the valve structure;

Figure} is a view showing the valvebody elementin side elevation and the valve element and stem inaxial section on the line 33 of Figure 2, the valve element being shown in position fora low gas flow Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line i-i of Figure 1, the valve element .being shown' in closed position;

Figures 5, 6 and Z are diagrammatic views showingthe valve elemen-t'in closed, full open, and low positions, respectively;

Figure 8 is an axial section similar to Figure 1, but with the valveelement shown'in full open positions;

Figure 9 is an axial section on the line 9...% of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a bottomview of thelvalve body elernent of Figure 8, with the valve elementin axial section on the'line :e ao of Figure 8;

:Figure 11 isran axial section. of avalve particularly useful-in connection with oven burners;

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view on-the line i-2-i2 of Figure 11 and showingthe seatiace of the-valve element;

"Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view on the line i3i 3 of Figure ll and showing the outer surface of the valve element.

nFigures l4 and '15 areirontand side elevations of a lGCkBlEIl'lBIlt;

' Figures-16 and 17 are side and front elevations oivthe yalve element-seating spring andstop devlce;

---Figure 18 is -anaxialsection of ,a modifiedlform of valve structure with a handle indicated by dottedlinesand the valve element inyclosed posi- "2 tion, but with the stem pressed inwardly to release the locking device;

Figure 19 is an elevation of the Figure l8 structure, the viewlooking from the right of Figure 18;

Figure 19a is an elevation of a stop element used in the Figure 1 8 structure Figure 20 is a transverse sectional view on the line til2!l of Figure 1 8 and with the valve elemen i t qsedcpos io z Figure 21 is an elevation of the stem shown in igur Figure 22 isa view similar to Figure 21, but with the stem r oi z ated-; and 7 Figures 23, 2f} and' 25 diagrammatically show the relation of the valve element flow ports of Figures 18to 20 with respect to the valve body element flow ports in closed, full open; and low or simmerposition.

Referrin to Figures 1 to '10 and i4 tol'i, the numeral-f39 designates a valve b ody element including a threaded boss 3l through which a supply passage 32 extends, the supply passage being drilled to open to a supply port 33 extending to the planar seat face-340i the valve body element. Boss? is adapted'to be connectedto a gas range manifold.

'A-boss;35 extends from therear face of the valve body elementboss 35 being drilled to provide a passagetfi which opens to a passage 3'1 having its outer end closed by a plug 38. Just within the plug 38, a passage 39 extendsfromthe seat face 34-to the boret-l. A suitable adjusting nippie-maybe threaded. upon theouter end of the boss 35 to extend into theair'mixing chamber of a gas range burner.

As is best shown .inzFigure 4, the supply port 33 and the deliveryporttaare positioned from each other on the seat face 34 and a tapered port 35a, extends fromone side of the delivery port :39 in atclockwise direction and generally along a circular line.

:As isvdescl ibed in my. said original application, Serial No; 335,522, new 'Patent -l I o.' 2,361;6 55,;the numera t i desisnaiesth valve element of Fi uITes-d to. 10 and 14 to :17 which is hollow and formed of two stampedpieeesweIded tOgether. Refe rin t rlii r u z.were,th sea ;P Q of valveelen7l ent -;;it;is a-tlatdiscfiZ welded at its periphery to the inner edge of -a v circulanpup like n1emberq13. The disc or seat member uxhas its seat face 44 flush with the edges ofeup'rnember Q3,and,- as be st shown in Figure 4, two ports, 45 andAfi arewstamped from the disc Inemben with ai tapered tailport .or notch iifia extending irom p ttfi l nne a-c ckw e ilati n Fi r 3 4) along a generally circular line. As is best indicated in Figure 4, the notch is formed at a point further spaced from the axis of the valve structure than the notch 39a of the valve body element port 39. As a result, when the valve element M is in the closed position shown in Figure i, the two notches will not overlap. In other words, by having. the notches spaced at different points from the valve structure axis, they may be of substantial length without necessitating an enlargement of the diameter of the structure.

Cup member 43 has a socket dl pressed in the central portion of the same, this socket preferably having one flat side 48 to form a key. In addition, the outer face of cup member 43 has a number of depressions 49- stamped in the same, three of these depressions preferably being provided equi-distantly spaced about the axis of the valve element. The socket 4! is preferably of sufiicient depth to contact with the disc 42. Socket 4'! thereby braces disc 42 'during planar grinding of the latter after welding.

As is best illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, a sheet metal operating stem 55 may be associated with the hollow valve element 4|, stem 55 being generally of U-shaped form in cross-section with a central circular portion 56 intermediate its ends. In more detail, stem 55 includes an outer end 51 which is adapted to receive an operating handle, this portion being arcuate in cross-section or of substantially U-shaped form with its edges 58 forming a key to engage the operating handle. Portion 58 is inclined inwardly at its inner end to. the circular portion 56 which is adapted to rotate within the flange 58 of a casing or plate member 60 secured to the valve body element 31] as hereinafter described, portion 56 thereby serving as the bearing or journal for the stem 55. Inwardly of circular portion 56 stem 5'! is further reduced in size at its inner portion 6| and is again of' open arcuate or U-shaped form. The inner portion 6| fits within the central D-shaped socket A! of thevalve element. It will be observed from Figures 9 and 10 that between circular portion 56 and the U-shaped portion 6! of less diameter, a U-shaped or arcuate portion 62 is provided, which portion is of the same diameter as circular portion 56, but has its edges lying in the same plane as the reduced diameter and U-shaped portion 6 I.

The provision of a stem such as 55 formed of sheet metal so as to be hollow is extremely advantageous due to the low cost at which it may be produced and, in addition, it has the very desirable attribute of permitting cooling of the valve structure due to the fact that air may flow through the hollow stem to the valve element. This is highly desirable because it insures that any grease used on the seat surface to increase the sealing qualities will not be destroyed by heat.

The inner surface of any handle applied to stem 55 will preferably terminate at the line A in Figure 3 so as toleave an opening between the handle and circular portion 56 for movement of air into and from the housing 60 and the valve element. If the valve housing 60 is covered by a range front cover plate, air can still move through the space described.

In order to hold the valve element 41 closely in engagement with the seat face 34 of valve body element 30, a spring member 65 of the form illustrated in detail in Figure 17 is provided. Member 65 includes a central portion 66 including an aperture 61 with a flattened portion to form a key. Three or more arms 66 are equidistantly spaced about the central portion and extend at an angle to the latter as illustrated in Figure 16, the ends of these legs being formed in a return bend so as to present a rounded surface. The ends of the arms may also be of greater width than the remainder of the arms. In addition, a tongue 10 extends from the central portion 66, but lies substantially in the same plane as the central portion.

Referring to Figure 1, spring member 65 is fitted upon stem 55 to have its central portion bear upon the inner surface of the forward wall or plate portion of the housing 60. The aperture 61 of spring member 65 surrounds the portion 62 of the stem; that is, the portion which is immediately outwardly of the smallest and innermost portion 6i of the stem. It will thus be observed that member 65 is concentric with stem 55 and that the stem may be moved axially of the housing 66 as hereinafter described without placing any pressure upon spring member 65 because the portion 62 of the stem will simply move through the aperture 61 of the spring member. Because of the depth of valve disc socket 41, the stem 55 will have adequate engagement therewith and can also move inwardly from the position of Figure 1.

The inner and rounded ends of the arms 68 of spring member 65 seat in the slight depressions 49 on the front face of valve element 4 I. In addition, a tongue F0 on the resilient element serves as a stop member. For example, as indicated in Figure 2, when the valve element M is in closed position, tongue 10 bears against a stop lug 15 which projects inwardly from the outer plate or wall of housing 60. Also, when the valve element is in its limit open position as hereinafter.

described, and which is indicated in Figures 3 and '7, tongue I0 bears against the inwardly extending face 16 of an adjustable stop element TI. Stop element Tl includes an arcuate arm 18 which carries a set screw 19 extending through an arcuate cut-out 86 in the front plate of the be positively locked in off position and that certain intermediate positions will be indicated by a clicking sound. For this purpose, the locking element illustrated in Figure 14 is mounted upon the inner portion 6| of stem 55 and is held by a spring 86 in abutment with the shoulder provided at the outer end of such portion by the portion 62 of larger diameter.

As is illustrated in Figure 14, the central portion 8'! of lock member 85 has an aperture to fit portion 6! of stem 55 and the aperture includes a flattened portion so that it will rotate with the stem. The ends of the radial arms 38 of element 85 are angled to form projecting lugs 89 and the outer edges or surfaces of these lugs are flat. As shown in Figures 2 and 9, when the valve element 4| is in the closed or off position, the" lugs 69 will extend into rectangular apertures 99 in the frant plate of housing 66. As illustrated in Figure 8, when the valve element ll is in full open position, the ends of lock arm portions 89 will engage depressions 9i on the inner surface of housing 60.

The operation of the Valve to obtain various flow positions is illustrated in Figures 5 to 7. Referring to Figure 5, the valve element 4! is "port 39 of the body element 30.

shown in clo'sed'position, itstw'oports 45 and 46 lying on a line at right angles to the line occupied by the supply port 33 and the delivery At this time, the tongue will be against the stop as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 and thelugs 09 of lock element 85 will be seated in the apertures 90 of the "housing'fillas shown in Figures 2 and 9. Also, the notches 39a and Mia lie alongside each other, but spaced so that there can be no flowbetween them.

Rotation of stem 55 in a clockwise direction from the Figure 5 position will cause the valve e1ement'4i to rotateon the'valve body element toward the full open position diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 6. Obviously, rotation may be stopped at a number of points in advanceof the Figure 6 position to thereby enable the flow of gas to bevaried as desired. When the valve element 4| reaches the Figure 6 position, the ends of the'arms B9 of lock'member '85 will'engage the depressions '9I of casing 60 as illustrated'in Figure 8.

Continued rotation of valve element M in a clockwise direction will again reduce the 'fiowof gas, and whenelem'ent ii reaches the position illusrated in Figure '7, the flow of gas will be such as is desirable for simmering. That is, at this time, valve element port 46 will have moved past valve body element supply port 33 so that only its notch 46a will "be aligned with the supply port and valve element port will have moved past valve body elementdeliveryport -39 to such an extent thatit will only be aligned with the tail port 3911. Thus, only a small flow of gas such as used for "simmering can occur. At this time, the tongue I0 will engage the adjustable stop IT as illustrated in'Figure 3.

It will be observed that the valve element 4I cannot be moved dire'ctly'from the Figure 5 positionto that of Figure 7 without arms 89 engaging in the depressions 9|. When this engagement occurs, the person operating the stove'must move the valve stem inwardlyto release the arms 8'9 from the depressions so that the valve will be 'freeto rotate to the Figure 7 position.

The above arrangement preventing accidental movement of the valve disc directly from the Figure 5 position to that of Figure '7 is very desirable'as' a safety feature. More particularly, most gas burner igniting devices necessitate a full flow of gas from the burner before ignition will occur. Therefore, if the operator could move the valve directly from the off or Figure 5 position to that of Figure '7, gas could then flow from the burner without ignition by the pilot flame, and in some instances the fact that the burner was not ignited would not be noticed by the operator, as when a large pan is in position on the burner. The continued leakage of gas without ignition of the .burner might result indamage.

Since the present arrangement insures that the rotation of the valve must be stopped at least temporarily at the full on position of Figure 6, proper ignition of the burner is assured. It will be understood that in order to move the valve element from the "closed position of Figures 2, 5 "and 9, very marked inward pressure must be exerted axially on stem '55 to release the lugs 89 from the apertures 90.

It will be notedthat the limit or low position of the valve element can be varied by adjustment of the position of the stop "I'I.

'Referringto Figure 18, the numeral I00 designates a'valve body element including a supply passage IBI which is of angled form andope'nszto' the planar seat face I00a through a round port I04. The delivery port I05 opening to delivery passage I02 has its center on a circular line which also passes through the center of supply port I04, but passage I02 is inclined inwardly toward the center of the valve body element I00 so that-it may open to a threaded boss I03 positioned centrally of the valve body element I00. Supply port IOI opens to a threaded boss 1'06 extending radially from the periphery of body element I00.

As is described in my said original application, a valve element such as-4Ia of Figures 18 and 13 is mounted uponthe valve bodyelement IEO of Figure 18. Valve element 4'Iaincludes a round disc 42a which comprises a seat face. Disc 42a is welded at its edges to a cup-like element 43a. Element 43a differs from the element l3-of Figure 1, in that it is provided with a central aperture in which a separate socket member 43b is welded asshown in Figure 18. This'structure is alsoillustrated in Figure 20, as well as in Figures 11 to 13. The provision'of the separate socket member 4% is desirable in forming the valve disc of materials which cannot be drawn to form a socket'of sufficient depth to'be properly engaged by the valve operating stem. Furthermore, -a socket of such depth as to contact with the disc element 42a is desirable, so that the disc and socket can be welded tobracethe center portion of the disc. When the disc is thus'bra'ced, it can be more easily ground.

Valve element lla is provided with flow ports II-0 and'I II which, as best shown in Figures 20 and 12, are of sector-like form with their outer edges concentric with the axis of the valve element. However, the two side walls of the ports meet at points spaced radially outward fromthe axis of the valve and substantiallycoincidental with the outer surface of the socket member 431). Each of the ports I10 and II! has a notch or groove I Illa and I I Ia, respectively, extending from one edge thereof, as also shown in Figure 12, these kerfs facing each other. As best indicated'in Figure 20, the'kerfs are so positioned that whenthe valve element Ma is in closed position, the 'kerfs Iliia and IIIa will lie substantially alongsideof the kerfs Ill-5a and I051) which extend from opposite sides of the delivery port l 05 of the valvebo'dy element '06, due to the fact that the kerfs H011 and 5 Ha are spaced further'frorn the axis of the valve structure than the kerfs I05a and I051).

As will be apparent from the following description, the provision of two kerfs on the valve element and-two kerfson the delivery port I05 will enable the valve element to be operated either for clockwise opening movement or counter-clockwise opening movement.

The numeral I40 designates the operating stem of the valve structure of Figures 18 to 25, which stem is preferably formed of sheet metal stamped to a circular shape with the edges of the blank contacting midway of the length of the finished stem'as indicated at It! in Figure 22. Stem M0 has its inner end I42 of sufficiently small diameter to fit within the "socket member 43b, a cut-away or flattened portion I43 being provided to serve as a key in the D-shaped socket element 43b. Beyond the inner and reduced portion of the stem, there is provided a circular section I44 of larger diameter, thereby providing a shoulder I 44 at the outer end of the inner portion !42. Beyond portion I44 the stem is enlarged to provide a handle receiving portion I45.and.the major length of, this portion is D shaped in transverse section; due to the fact that its edges I46 do not meet. In addition, an indentation I41 is provided on the D-shaped portion to assist in holding a handle such as I48 upon the stem. It will be observed that a shoulder I49 is provided by reason of the cut-away edges I46, and this shoulder limits the inward movement of the handle upon the stem as indicated in Figure 18. Due to the fact that the edges I46 are spaced apart as indicated in Figure 22, they may be readily engaged by a proper tool and spread so as to more firmly engage a handle fitted upon the stem.

If desired, an additional cut-out portion as indicated in dotted lines at I50 in Figure 22 may be formed in the shoulder I49, this cut-away portion permitting air to move through the stem to the central portion of the valve disc fila to keep the same cool.

As has been heretofore explained, the portion I42 of stem I40 fits in the socket member 43b of valve element 4Ia. As shown in Figure 18, this portion of the stem also carries a stop member I55 shown in Figure 19a and which includes a radially projecting arm I56, member I55 being in abutment with the shoulder I45 of the stem. A spring 65a is positioned on the stem against stop member I55, spring member 65a being identical in form with the spring member 65 of Figures 16 and 17, except that it does not include a stop arm such as indicated at I in these two figures. A lock member 85 is positioned on the stem in contact with the spring member 65a, this member being identical with that illustated in Figures 14 and 15 to include projecting lugs 89, such as illustrated in the last mentioned figures. The elements I55 and 65a may be securely or immovably held upon the stem I40 by fit alone, but, in some instances, it is desirable to strike a tongue I58 from portion I42 of the stem and bend this tongue to the shape shown in Figure 18 so that its 4:

free end will engage the spring member 65a to hold the latter and stop member I55 in proper position upon the stem.

It will be noted that the tip of tongue I58 is positioned in a notch 88' (Figure 14) of lock 1 member 85 so that the latter will not be secured against axial movement on stem I40. This will enable the lock member to move toward the valve element against the action of a coil spring 86 positioned between the lock member 85 and the outer surface of the cup-like element 43a of the disc valve.

The portion I 44 of intermediate diameter of stem I40 engages a flange I58a on the cover plate or housing I59 to thereby serve as a journal for the stem. Referring to Figure 19, housing I59 includes an arcuate slot I60 through which a set screw I6I extends to engage an arcuate strip I62, the end I63 of this strip serving as a stop against which the stop arm I56 will strike when the valve disc is in the extreme low position illustrated in Figure 25. Cover plate I59 is also provided with two outwardly extending depressions I64 arranged diametrically opposite and in which the lugs 89 of lock member 85 will engage when the valve disc element is in off position. A second pair of depressions I65 are formed in the cover plate on a line extending at right angles to the line on which the depressions I 64 are arranged. However, the depressions I65 differ from the depressions I64, in that one side edge of each depression I65 is inclined for a purpose.

A tongue I63a extends radially inwardly from the peripheral wall of cover plate I59 at such a point as to serve as a stop against which stop arm I56 will contact when the valve disc element is in the fully closed position of Figure 23.

Figures 23 to 25 indicate the stages of operation of the valve structure of Figures 18 to 20, comprising the valve element 4Ia of Figures 20, 12 and 13 and the valve body element I00 of Figure 18. Referring to Figure 23, valve element M a is there shown in closed position with its ports III and H0 out of communication with the valve body element ports I04 and I05 and with the port notches relatively positioned in the manner described above. Also, at this time, the stop arm I56 will be in engagement with the stop tongue I63a as is also shown in Figures 18 and 19.

By pressing the valve stem I40 inwardly to the position indicated in Figure 18, the lugs 89 of stop member 85 will be disengaged from the depressions I64, so that the valve element may be rotated. This inward pressure upon the valve stem will, of course, contract the locking element spring 86 and also the spring element 6511, both as indicated in Figure 18. However, because of the fact that the pockets b in which the ends of the arm 65a seat are quite shallow, in fact, only about one quarter the depth of the correspondin pockets 49 of the Figure 1 structure, and also because the ends of the arms 650. are rounded as has been described in connection with the Figure 1 structure, the arms 65a will readily ride radially outwardly as the stem is pushed inwardly.

Rotation of the valve element in a clockwise direction with respect to Figures 19, 20 and 23 will move it to the full open position illustrated in Figure 24, wherein the ports of the valve element and valve body element are fully aligned. In finally reaching this position, the locking lugs 89 of lock member will ride down along the inclined edges I66 of the depressions I65 and into these depressions so as to abut against the opposite and straight walls of the latter. The operator will thereby have an indication that the valve is in full open position for ignition of the burner by the pilot device. In addition, the operator must again force the stem inwardly against the spring pressure before the valve can be turned to the Figure 25 low position. By this arrangement, the valve is certain to stay in a full open position for ignition of the burner before it can be turned to the low position of Figure 25.

Figure 25 illustrates the valve element M01 in the low or simmer position and with the stop arm I56 in contact with the surface I63 of the stop member I62. In this position, port III of the valve element has moved past supply port I04 and only receives gas from the latter through the notch II Ia. Also, valve element port III] has moved entirely past delivery port I 05 and gas only flows through the notch 3%. The extreme low position can be adjusted by adjustment of the stop strip I62.

Referring to Figure 11, the valve structure there illustrated is particularly designed for use with oven burners, but includes a valve element 4Ia such as shown in use with the Figure 18 assembly, and which valve element is illustrated in detail in Figure 20. The Figure 26 assembly also includes the valve body element I00 used with the Figure 18 assembly and shown in detail in Figures 29 to 31.

In the Figure 11 assembly, the valve element 4Ia only moves between off and full on positions and its stem I40, which is similar to that shown in Figures 21 and 22, carries a stop I55 shown in Figure 19a and including an arm I56. In off position of the valve, arm 156 will contact with a tongue [63b projecting inwardly from the housing 60. In full on position, such as shown in Figure 11, arm 156 will contact with a stop similar to I631), but positioned 90 around the housing.

A spring 65a is positioned between member I55 and the outer surface of valve element 4m to hold the latter seated.

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, the scope of the invention being indicated in the claims. i

I claim:

1. A valve comprising a valve body element including a seat portion, avalve element rotatable with respect to the seat portion, the valve body element and valve element having ports therein adapted to be aligned for fiow upon rotation of the valve element, a plate member secured to the valve body element and mounted outwardly of the valve element, the plate member including a circular aperture concentric with the valve element, a stem extending through the aperture and engaging the valve element for axial movement with respect to the latter, a resilient member between the plate member and the adjacent face of the valve element, said resilient member being mounted to rotate with and have movement axially of the stem, said stem including a shoulder inwardly of said plate member, a lock member carried inwardly of the shoulder, spring means between the valve element and the lock member to hold the latter against said shoulder, and operating locking means carried by said plate member and lock member.

2. A valve comprising a valve body element including a seat portion, a valve element rotatable with respect to the seat portion, the valve body element and valve element having ports therein adapted to be aligned for flow upon rotation of the valve element, a plate member secured to the valve body element and mounted outwardly of the valve element, theplate member including a circular aperture concentric with the valve element, a stem extending through the aperture and engaging the valve element for axial movement with respect to the latter, a resilient member between the plate member and the adjacent face of the valve element, said resilient member being mounted to rotate with and have movement axially of the stem, said stemincluding a shoulder inwardly of said plate member, a lock member carried inwardly of the shoulder, spring means between the valve element and the lock member to hold the latter against said shoulder, cooperating locking means carried by said plate memher and lock member, a radially projecting arm on said resilient member, and means carried by said plate member adapted to be engaged by said arm to limit rotation of the valve element.

3. A valve comprising a valve body element including a seat portion, a valve element rotatable with respect to the seat portion, the valve body element and valve element having ports therein adapted to be aligned for flow upon rotation of the valve element, a plate member secured to the valve body element and mounted outwardly of the valve element, said plate member including a circular aperture, a hollow stem extending through the aperture and engaging the valve element, a stop member carried by said stem, said stem having a tongue stuck from its wall and bent to form a diametrically extending tang to secure the stop member against movement with respect to the stem, a resilient member between the stop member and the adjacent face of the valve element, and stop means carried by said plate member and adapted to cooperate with said stop member.

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,111,865 Serrell Sept. 29, 1914 1,786,330 Berkeley Dec. 23, 1930 1,933,177 Kindl Oct. 31, 1933 1,937,325 Pick Nov. 28, 1933 2,030,150 Mueller Feb; 11, 1936 2,083,086 Pratt June 8, 1937 2,129,816 Byars Sept. 13, 1938 2,160,358 Harper May 30, 1939 2,300,961 Pratt Nov. 3, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,595 Great Britain Aug. 6, 1910 688,663 France May 13, 1930 

